2009-06-09_Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Agenda Item 2 Roseville Human Rights Commission Dialogue Summary October 14, 2008 On October 14, 2008, the Roseville Human Rights Commission hosted a community dialogue with the assistance of the Greater Twin Cities United Way Cultural Dynamics. The purpose of the dialogue was to take the simple step of coming together to listen and learn from each other, to welcome diversity, bridge cultural, racial, generational, and other differences while building genuine relationships to enrich ourselves as individuals and as a community. The following is a summary of the dialogue: • 80 participants attended the dialogue • Attendees were a diverse group, not only ethnically but in other ways too: gender, abilities, age, nationality, and country of origin etc. • Community members, Roseville area businesses and schools were well represented at the dialogue • Community leaders as well, attended • Participants also completed a Commitment to Action that will be mailed back to participants a month after the dialogue. They responded to the following questions: 1. Based on lessons learned today, identify one achievable strategy that builds a more inclusive community. 2. State what you personally will commit to doing to move this forward. Summary of Small Villages Responses -What was learned: Dialogue attendees were asked to respond to three questions: • In what ways do you feel welcome and at home in a community? • What are your customs regarding personal space, communication and the roles of men and women? • What does it mean to be a good neighbor? In response to what ways do you feel welcome and at home in a community, there were three distinct themes. The first theme centered on what being welcomed in a community feels like. Many participants responded that being acknowledged by surrounding neighbors, sharing food, plants, and responsibilities of children and being part of a social network -feeling connected captures some of the main experiences of feeling welcomed in a community. Other participants also stated that coming from other states, or even coming from greater Minnesota, there are different degrees of feeling welcomed by communities in Minnesota. The following participant statement describes this experience, "There is an overall Minnesota nice -but some parts are more welcoming then others. The second theme focused on being personally proactive about creating the environment by being inviting to others, reaching out as the new person and getting over one's own inhibitions. Many participants also stated that many times children are the ice breakers by bringing together other parents and adults. Other ways to be proactive in a new community included getting involved in schools, attending community festivals, block parties and visiting the local libraries and the YMCA. The last focus area that participants discussed was the efforts of the community itself to welcome new members. There are passive approaches to being welcomed into a community. In this approach, some participants offered that receiving a "welcome wagon packet" that includes letters from community agencies, discounts to area businesses and information from the city itself helps to feel welcome in a new community.